Paul's POV

I haven't dreamt in weeks. Ever since my abilities took over I would randomly be swallowed up in other people's nightmares…never dreams as if I were actually living them out. Tonight was a different story altogether. Tonight I dreamt of my baby boy, my beautiful, precious Ciqala.

I was lying in Bed with Bella at my side peacefully asleep when I heard a scream from the baby monitor. Bella instantly woke up and pulled back the covers in an automatic reflex to comfort our son.

"No, honey, go back to bed. I got it this time." She smiled and mumbled a 'thanks' before lying her head back down on the pillow. I gave her a quick kiss but she was already back asleep.

I pulled the covers back over her and got out of bed and raced over to his room. I quietly pushed the door open and he was sitting up in bed with his favorite wolf stuffed animal clutched to his chest. The tears were streaming down his cheeks. I felt my heart contract at the sight of my poor baby in so much fear. The moment he saw me he stood up on the bed with his arms stretched out towards me and he cried harder. I picked him up and held him as close to me as I could without crushing him.

"What's wrong Baby?" I asked trying to keep the worry out of my voice but I'm not so sure I did such a good job. He was my heart and soul and whenever something scared him I felt like I needed to do anything – no matter what it was to keep my baby safe from it.

"There's a monster in my closet." He sniffled and practically had a death grip around my neck. I didn't mind one bit.

"I'm going to go check it out, do you want to come with me or stay in the bed?" He instantly let go of me, plopped down on the bed and pulled the covers over his head. It was so darn cute I couldn't help but smile.

I took out the little Elmo flashlight we kept by his bed and pointed it at his closet. I walked up to it and he cried.

"Daddy no, it might get you!" He was genuinely scared. "Don't worry baby, if there's anything in there daddy will get it for you."

I opened the closet door and checked inside. Once I saw that there were indeed no monsters in the closet I turned to my little one.

"You see Ciqala, there's nothing in here." He slowly pulled down the covers from his face.

"Are you sure?" he asked still a little scared.

"Do you want to come and see." He shook his head vigorously. I smiled at him and walked over to the bed. I tucked him back in and kissed his forehead.

"Good night baby."

"'Night daddy." He closed his little eyes and drifted off into sleep almost instantly. I stood there a little longer just to look at him. He was three years old with thick black hair and long eyelashes. He had Bella's eyes and cheekbones with my skin color. He had my face, my mouth and ears and his hands were like mine only in miniature. He had Bella's heart and my temper when he didn't get his way. He was absolutely perfect in every way.

I finally managed to pull myself away and go back to bed. I walked into my room and my heart did a little summersault at the sight of Bella curled up under the white sheets, her beautiful short, curly hair spread across the pillow. I crawled into bed careful not to wake her up and got as close to her as I could. I wrapped an arm around her waist and buried my face in her hair. It smelled like grapefruit soap. I was peaceful, I was happy – I did not want to wake up.

But, of course, I did. I stood there lying on the ground looking up at the night sky as was my usual routine when I was awakened in the middle of the night. I wanted this to be real so bad. I want the life that was shown to me. Bella and my son…MY son. I loved the sound of it. I said it over and over again and I could never wipe the cheesy smile off of my face. Would Bella allow me back in her life? Would she allow me to love her? Could she admit that she loved me too? I wanted to go back to her now, but I couldn't. Bella was the kind of girl who shuts down when too many things are thrown at her all at once. If I went to her now she would be even more confused. I needed to let her come to me but the wait was excruciating, especially now that I knew about her and Jacob being so…involved with each other. The thought of it sent me into a fit of rage and I almost couldn't control my shaking. I refused to Phase. I did not want anyone to know where I was. I wasn't sure that I wanted to be a part of the pack anymore; I don't think I could handle it.

I knew I should stay away from Bella's mind but I couldn't help it. I had to go visit her. I needed to see her. I closed my eyes and focused on the image of her face. I opened my eyes and she was in Jacob's room…again. She was sleeping in his arms and it broke my heart. Her eyes fluttered open just then and she looked over in my direction but I knew she couldn't see me because she wasn't looking at me.

"Can you hear me Bella?" I whispered. She nodded her head.

"I miss you." I whispered again. She bit her bottom lip and nodded her head again.

"How is he?" I asked. She arched an eyebrow and looked over at Jacob who was still fast asleep. She edged her way out of his arm and pulled back the covers and headed toward the living room. She stopped in the middle of the room.

"How is it that I can hear you but can't see you?" she whispered.

"I…don't know. But I'm here…I want you to come with me."

"I'm with Jake, Paul. I'm not leaving him." I felt like someone was burying me alive. I was suffocating.

"Do you love him?"

"Yes! Of course I do!"

"Do you love me?" she stood quiet and didn't answer.

"I said, do you love me?"

"Where are you?" she reached out a hand and I grabbed it. She gave out a little gasp and squeezed. My heart was hurting being this close to her yet so far. I wanted more than anything for her to be with me. I shut my eyes trying to compose myself and when I opened them she was starring right at me – not through me but at me.

"Yes." I was so shocked that I didn't know what she was saying.

"Yes, what, Bella?"

"I love you too, Paul." My breath caught in my throat at these words and I pulled her hand and wrapped my arms around her.

"Come away with me." She shook her head in my chest.

"I'm with Jake." I pulled her away at shoulders length.

"Then, be with me!"

"I can't."

"Why not Bella? Can you honestly say that you don't want to?"

"I want to!" she whispered furiously looking around the room making sure no one heard us.

"It doesn't bother you that I've given myself to Jacob?"

"Of course it does. I want you all to myself but I'm never going to hold that against you. You're with him, of course those…things happen. I just don't want them to happen if I can prevent it."

"Doesn't it bother you that I love him too?"

"Bella," I grabbed her hands. "I'd be a fool to think that I could ever make you stop loving Jacob. But I would be a fool to love you and not tell you. I would be a fool to let you to continue to be with him and not give you the chance to be with me. You and me Bella, we're about to have a family whether or not you decided to be with me." I reached down and touched her stomach.

"I want to be your best friend. I want to be your confidant. I want to be your lover; I want to be your man." I grabbed her hand and led her out the door.

"Where are we going?" I didn't answer her with words. I changed our surroundings to First Beach where our relationship began. She gasped and smiled.

I knelt down in front of her and looked up into her big brown eyes.

"Isabella Swan, will you marry me?" she covered her mouth and blinked… like a thousand times. I think she was trying to wake up. I didn't want to do this to her. I just wanted to see her face and here I was proposing to her. What the hell was I doing to her? But I couldn't help it. I want her in my life and I wanted her to be my wife more than anything.

When she didn't say anything for four minutes I began to get nervous.

"Say something Bella."

"I don't want to say no." she whispered barely audible.

"Then don't. Be with me Bella. I promise to keep you happy for the rest of our lives. I promise to be a good husband and father. I promise to keep our family safe and taken care of. I will support you and love you forever Bella. What do you say? Will you marry me?"

She shook her head slowly.

"No. I…can't." I felt like I had died a million deaths. I stood up and cupped her face in my hands. I felt the stinging in my eyes and forced the traitorous tears back down. I would not let her see me like that.

"I love you Bella. You don't mean that. I know you don't. I know you want to be with me. I know you're saying no because you feel like you have to, for Jacob's sake, but I know it's me you want to be with. I know you feel like you made a commitment to Jake that you can't break, but remember this, my love. Who was the one who imprinted on you first? Fate has a way of bringing people together and you and I would still be together if that leech hadn't harmed you. Jacob may have imprinted on you and he may love you with everything he has but your heart…it's attached to me and you know it." She cried. I know she knew I was right but she wouldn't say it out loud.

"Please think about it Bella. My offer will stand forever. Marry me." I changed our surroundings back to Jake's living room. She looked at me one last time before she turned and walk back to Jacob's room. I reached out and grabbed her arm before she got too far and I kissed her. I tried to put all of the love I felt for her in that kiss and I know she felt it. She placed her hands on my face and cried into the kiss.

She broke it and looked at me again still not taking her hands off of my face. She pulled me in and kissed my forehead and then gently kissed my lips again.

"I love you." She mouthed and then walked away and disappeared into the hall way taking a piece of me with her.